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The scarlet minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus) is a small passerine bird. …They are common resident breeding birds in forests and other well-wooded habitats including gardens, especially in hilly country. …This minivet catches insects in trees by flycatching or while perched. It flushes insects out of foliage by beating its wings hard. Scarlet minivet will form small flocks. Its song is a pleasant whistling. This bird nests high up in the treetops. The nest is a cup-like structure woven with small twigs and spiders’ webs to increase the strength of the nest. Two or three spotted pale green eggs are laid. Incubation is mainly by the female, but both birds help to raise the offspring.

I have always loved the red and black combination. My bedroom in my 20s was black lacquer furniture with a red velvet bedspread and the rest of the room worked around that. Need I say more. Continue reading →

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The European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) – also known as Eurasian or Golden Bee-eaters – are widely distributed, multi-colored bee-eaters with abundant populations in arid (dry) and semi-arid areas of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia.

This insectivorous species has recently been observed breeding in central Europe as far north as Sweden.

These bee-eaters tend to be shy and generally avoid humans. However, after rain in particular, they may be found close to human settlements in their search for beehives.

Let’s face it, I am a color girl. While I can certainly find beauty in monochromatic and neutral interiors, I also think that sometimes people are deep down craving color and play it too safe. Continue reading →

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One of the loudest and most colorful birds of eastern back yards and woodlots, the Blue Jay is unmistakable. Intelligent and adaptable, it may feed on almost anything, and it is quick to take advantage of bird feeders. Besides their raucous jay! jay! calls, Blue Jays make a variety of musical sounds, and they can do a remarkable imitation of the scream of a Red-shouldered Hawk. Not always conspicuous, they slip furtively through the trees when tending their own nest or going to rob the nest of another bird.